How to be a Domestic Goddess

by Nigella Lawson

Original publisher: Vintage

Date of publication: 1998

ISBN: 0786886811

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Recommended by

Erin Jeanne McDowell

Cook, food writer and food stylist

I used to babysit for a very stylish family in my neighborhood, and right after I started working in my first bakery job, I discovered this book on their coffee table. I was so engrossed when the parents came back from a night on the town that they let me borrow it - it was ultimately what made me decide to go to culinary school and really pursue this crazy, delicious dream I had.

Genevieve Taylor

Food writer and stylist

I confess that I’m not a very good baker, preferring the chuck it all in method of cooking that doesn’t really work for baking, and I love Nigella’s ever so slightly tongue-in-cheek look at the art of perfect cakes, bread and pies. I guess it showed me that I can bake a cake, even though I’m not a natural ‘domestic goddess’ by any stretch of the imagination.

Stella Parks

Pastry chef

I started working in restaurants when I was 14, so by my second job post-culinary school as a so-called pastry chef, food was just work. But here's Nigella having the freaking time of her life on every page, drinking wine, measuring things by the handful, and generally having fun. It helped me get back to having fun in the kitchen.

Annie Bell

Food writer

Nigella initiated a turning in the tide of how we perceive cooking, and time spent in the kitchen. Her ability to welcome and encourage us back into this environment, as the friend who is there at our side, is a unique talent. She manages to instil this into every dish she offers us.

Caroline Kenyon

Founder/Director of The Food Awards Company

My husband gave this to me - I was not a confident baker and even less so after I saw a small child presiding over a fire sale of my leftover fairy cakes at my son's primary school. Now I feel I can bake and even if it's not as light as a feather, it will look and taste good!

Catherine Phipps

Food writer and author

I have 100s of baking books, but use this one more than the rest put together, as the recipes are failsafes but also - as frequently suggested by Nigella - infinitely adaptable. I love the writing tone too - full of warmth, whimsy and good sense.

Kavita Favelle

Blogger of Kavey Eats

A classic book for cake-lovers in particular, we've enjoyed several cakes from this book, though we are also fans of Feast: Food That Celebrates Life.